Holiday & Event Collections
Every holiday is a Costco holiday if you try hard enough.
Your year-round playbook for turning bulk buys into legendary spreads. Each section cross-links to existing recipes so you can plan, shop, and cook without guessing.
Thanksgiving
The one day a year where buying in bulk is actually expected of you.
| Course | Recipe | Cost/Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Appetizer | Charcuterie Board | $3.00 |
| Appetizer | Bruschetta | $0.75 |
| Soup | Butternut Squash Soup | $1.50 |
| Side | Baked Mac and Cheese | $1.75 |
| Side | Caesar Salad | $1.75 |
| Side | Greek Salad | $2.00 |
| Dessert | No-Bake Cheesecake | $1.50 |
| Dessert | Berry Crumble | $1.75 |
| Dessert | Peanut Butter Cookies | $0.50 |
What about the turkey? Grab a Butterball from Costco's seasonal section (~$1.29/lb). We didn't write a turkey recipe because honestly, the instructions are on the bag and your family already has Opinions.
Super Bowl / Game Day
Enough dips to qualify as a swimming pool.
The Dips
Finger Food
- Chicken Wings — buffalo, teriyaki, or garlic parm
- Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos
- Pizza Bagels
- Soup Dumplings
- Turkey Provolone Pinwheels
The Mains
Snacks
Dessert
Drinks
Pro tip: Costco's deli platters (shrimp cocktail, chicken wings, veggie trays) are genuinely great shortcuts. Pair one platter with two or three homemade dips and nobody will question your commitment.
Summer BBQ
The grill is hot. The drinks are cold. The potato salad is... from Costco deli. No shame.
From the Grill
Sides
Drinks
Dessert
15-Person BBQ Budget: Mains ~$45 + Sides ~$20 + Drinks $12 + Dessert $6.13/person)**. Not bad for a party where everyone eats twice.$15 = **$92 total (
Holiday Baking
December: when your oven runs 24/7 and your kitchen smells incredible.
Cookie Swap & Baking
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Brownies — the Costco bakery copycat
- Cookie Skillet (cut into bars for swaps)
- Churros
- Granola Bars (double as gifts)
Showstoppers
- Chocolate Lava Cakes
- Tres Leches Cake
- No-Bake Cheesecake
- Tourtière — Québécois meat pie, a Christmas Eve tradition
Christmas Morning
- Cinnamon Rolls — make the night before, bake morning of
- French Toast Casserole
- Danishes — cheese, apple, or cherry
Breakfast Entertaining
- French Toast Casserole
- Breakfast Casserole
- Mini Quiche Tray — perfect for Easter brunch
- Quiche Lorraine — the full-size centerpiece
- Berry Protein Pancakes
Drinks
Gift Ideas: Granola bars in mason jars, trail mix in cellophane bags (~$0.75/gift), cold brew concentrate in glass bottles, peanut butter cookies in a tin.
Back to School
September meal prep so you're not making PB&J at 6:45 AM in a panic.
Breakfast Prep (make Sunday, eat all week)
Lunchbox Winners
After-School Snacks
Quick Weeknight Dinners (30 minutes or less, no excuses)
Weekly Cost Estimate (Family of 4)
| Category | Est. Weekly Cost |
|---|---|
| Breakfasts (batch prep) | ~$12 |
| Lunches (5 days) | ~$20 |
| Snacks | ~$8 |
| Weeknight dinners (5 nights) | ~$35 |
| Total | ~$75/week |
That's under $2.70 per meal per person. Your future self will thank your Sunday self.
See Also
- Seasonal Guide — what's available at Costco by season
- Party Planning — scaling recipes for groups
- Meal Plans — weekly budget tiers
- Cost Index — every recipe ranked by price